It is no secret that a lot of families are struggling to make ends meet at the moment, or that keeping children equipped with all the things they need can be an expensive task. If you are wondering just how to keep your growing child in things like clothes and shoes and this is a source of stress for you, thrift shopping can be a great solution. As you probably know, at the thrift store, you can buy second hand goods that are usually in good condition, at low prices.
Why Finding Great Bargains for Kids Second Hand is Easy
When it comes to items for kids, second hand items like clothes and toys tend to be easy to find in a good or serviceable condition because parents of other fast growing youngsters hand them in after only a short time of use. This means you can get items that may have only been used by another child for a few months and still look good enough to please even the most fashion conscious child. You can also find toys of all sorts, from second hand video games through to outdoor accessories like basketball hoops and balls. For many families who are low on budget, this can mean the difference between a child having new toys on their birthday and Christmas, and not.
Thrift Shopping with Children Can be Fun
As well as being a great way to lay your hands on all the clothes, shoes, books and toys you need to give your child a good standard of living, even with a low income, thrift shopping can in itself become a fun family activity. People from all walks of life enjoy exploring second hand shops and thrift stores as a hobby, and if you teach your kids to enjoy it as a day out and quality time together, sometimes it doesn’t even matter if you don’t find something special for them – they have still had a good time. You may not be able to treat them to a day exploring the aisles at Toys R Us, but this can be an alternative that can, in many ways, be more rewarding for them.
Getting children into the habit of looking for bargains can also help teach them the value of money, and give them bargain hunting skills that may serve them well in later life when they need to find good deals on things for their own homes or families.
When Thrift Shopping Isn’t Possible
If you can’t make it to a thrift shop or there isn’t one in your area, you can still get all the advantages of picking up second hand stuff for kids by checking out the items on websites like Gumtree.com that allow people with items they no longer need to sell them locally, nationally or internationally. This may not be as fun as going out shopping with your kids, but you have access to an even bigger pool of possible bargains and so can often get even better prices if you want a specific item.
Try thrift shopping or second hand shopping with your family – you may be amazed how far it can make your money stretch!
Do you thrift shop with your children? If so, share what you found at a thrift shop.
